Several fraud cases targeting Florida residents have been reported this month. Scammers are contacting residents through phone calls, claiming they are a judge and demanding payment for failure to appear in court.
Our Office of Inspector General hotline received two reports in the last few days, noting calls from fraudsters asserting they were from the Collier County or Manatee County Sheriff’s offices. One complainant realized this was a scam before paying the demanded $3,000 payment, and another complainant is attempting to recover $1,550 in funds.
The 12th, 19th and 20th Circuits have also reported similar fraud cases.
– Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller